WFMW: The Great Toy Purge of 2009

Ok so I can’t exactly say that the Great Toy Purge of 2009 works for me, because I haven’t exactly done it yet. I plan to, but I’m not sure how.

Which is where you come in.

I am making my Works For Me Wednesday post a backwards WFMW, because I need to know what works for you.

We have a full, finished basement, and while it is big and a wonderful space for the kids to play, 99% of the time it is a complete disaster. There are toys everywhere. (BTW, I swear we do not buy our kids lots of toys. I think they are like gremlins and multiply at night). I would show you pictures but I’m too embarrassed. And really, the kids have no idea what toys are down there and they can’t even enjoy the space, seeing as how they can’t walk through it.

So, my goal is to purge the basement of all the outgrown, broken, or generally unused toys before the influx that is bound to happen at Christmas. What I’d like to do is buy one of these for the basement (and one for my dining room, while I’m at it), so that everything has a home and can be nicely organized.
ikea expedit
The Ikea Expedit. Isn’t it lovely?

So here’s what I need to know from all of you smart readers:
1) How ruthless should I be in the toy purge? Or, I guess, how do I decide what to keep? (I have the “well we may need that someday” syndrome)
2) What should I do with the toys I decide to get rid of?
3) What’s your toy organization secret?

Basically, what works for you?

Because what we’ve got going on now… it doesn’t work for anyone.

I can’t wait to read your tips!

*****
For more Works for Me Wednesday (this week is a holiday edition!), visit We are THAT Family.

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Ramblings

My mind is all over the place today, and my blog post is going to be, too. So here we go.

— My phone interview for the Disney Mom’s Panel is today. It’s the final step in the process, and I am quasi-nervous about it but not as much as I expected to be. I have no idea what to expect, and I’m not sure what I should be doing to prepare for it, so I haven’t done anything. I am doing the interview on my lunch hour, and am trying to decide where to park my car to take the call on my cell. I know, big decisions. I wonder what parking lot has good luck? Hmmm… I will have to think this over.

— Because of said phone interview, I have to skip my Weight Watchers meeting today. I am a little nervous about this, because I’m afraid to get off track, but trying to do both things would make it too hectic today. It’s funny, because when I talked to the WW marketing person about getting involved with the Lose for Good campaign, she told me that she finds there are two kinds of WW people – meeting people and online people. For everything else in my life, I certainly consider myself an online person, but in this arena I am definitely a meeting person. And really, that is so odd, because I would so much prefer to just log my points on the internet and not have to go clap for everyone at the meetings. As I’m fond of saying, enthusiasm is not my strong suit. But having to go weigh in every week has really helped me a lot. As of last Tuesday, I had lost 13.2 pounds, and was 2.8 pounds away from my goal. Or maybe 7.8 away, I haven’t decided yet.

— I have six more classes for the course I’m taking this semester, and then it’s over. Thank goodness. Because it’s about been the death of me. It’s a philosophy course, and while what we’re discussing has the potential to be interesting, it is way more work-intensive than any grad course I’ve come across so far. For example, two weeks ago we had to turn in a 20-page play script. Fun stuff. And some of it is just so odd. A few weeks ago, I stealthily texted Jenny and Andy at the beginning of class (because cell phones are banned) and said “Our first class activity today – go outside and observe a tree for eight minutes.” Philosophy is like yoga. I just can’t take it seriously.

— When we got back to my house after trick-or-treating on Saturday, Kate discovered she had a loose tooth. She was so concerned about this that she decided she couldn’t eat any of her candy. I was perplexed by this decision, because even if I didn’t have any teeth at all, I’m pretty sure I would figure out how to eat candy anyway, but I went with it. The tooth is still hanging on by a thread. She called me this morning on my way to work and said “Hi Mommy! I haven’t taken my tooth out yet but I’m going to try right now. Ow, that hurt! Ok I will leave it in now and call you back later when I take it out. Bye!”

— Jenny and I are putting together a rockin’ holiday gift guide, and we have some fun giveaways to go along with it, so stay tuned for that.

— I am currently reading “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett. I haven’t finished it yet, but I love it and highly recommend it if you’re looking for a good book to read. I’m hosting a book club meeting at my house on Friday to discuss it, so lots of reading must take place between now and then, but it’s the best book I’ve read in quite some time.

— Last night I had my family over for my dad’s birthday, and I made chili and cornbread. The cornbread recipe said to put the empty pan in the oven to heat up, so I put my Pampered Chef deep dish baker in for 8 minutes at 400 degrees. When I went to get it out, I discovered I had a hole in my oven mitt. Unfortunately, the way I discovered this hole was by grabbing the dish with my bare finger. It was lovely.

And finally…

— Sammy thinks bowls are hats.
sammy cereal

(Oh, and finally FINALLY – go enter our giveaway to win a $100 Subway gift card on Reviewin’ It Up!)

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Trick-or-Treat Tradition 2009

Emily told you last year about our Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating together. It has made Halloween a really special holiday for us. I must confess I never had warm and fuzzy feelings about Halloween. I mean I love me some candy, but come on. Now, Halloween has the potential to make me downright MISTY! I mean who wouldn’t get a little choked up at Tinkerbell sweetly smooching Optimus Prime?

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Or two Tinkerbell cousins having a pre-trick-or-treat fairy huddle time?

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While their Peter Pan took off with one of their trick-or-treat buckets and was ready to GO!?

Sammy Pan

My favorite part of this year’s trick-or-treat was how much Sophie loved it. She was not exactly an, um, willing participant last year, but this year? She spread her wings and got her some CANDY!

spreading her wings

She had a pretty good example. She kept calling Kate “Cake” all night, and she thought Cake was pretty darn awesome!

happy fairy!

Of course Joshua loved it, too. He kept running down the street yelling, “Trick-or-treat is finally here!” He has been asking about it ALL MONTH! I thought he looked pretty tough in his Optimus Prime costume!

More than Meets the Eye!

But the best costume of all?? The award goes to Emily’s husband Andy, who channeled “Earl” from “My name is Earl” so well it was probably the scariest thing I saw ALL NIGHT!

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(I would also like to note that Andy was rather proud of his efforts and said, “Jenny will you take my picture and put it on ‘Mommin’ It Up’?” Well of COURSE I WILL!)

Ok, since I take waaaay to many pictures, here are some of my faves from the night:

Optimus Tinkerbell!
Optimus Tinkerbell

Em and Sammers
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General cuteness
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Pre-TOT meeting
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Super-happy Sophie
tinkerbell sophie

On their way
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We had a great time, and we are blessed with such great cousins to share this with each year!

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